MSP for Central Scotland, Graham Simpson, has described a Scottish Government report which sets out their future transport priorities as a ‘damp squib’ which will not address Lanarkshire’s transport needs.
Mr Simpson’s comments follow the publication of the SNP’s second Strategic Transport Projects Review yesterday, which sets out the Government’s key priorities for future transport investment.
The delayed strategy, which makes 45 recommendations, should inform transport decisions in Scotland for the next 20 years.
The review features a number of high profile projects including a Clyde Metro system, which according to the a map could serve residents in East Kilbride via a ‘potential light metro’, and a mass transit system for Edinburgh that sees the capital’s tram extended.
However, aside from the Clyde Metro, an ‘M8 maintenance strategy’ and a further commitment to decarbonise the East Kilbride/Barrhead Rail Line the report does not include any additional projects which could directly benefit residents in the region.
Instead, the report makes for grim reading for motorists in Lanarkshire with vital road upgrades ignored, a speed limit review muted and a national expansion of 20mph zones proposed.
Concerns have also been raised about funding, with Mr Simpson describing the proposals as ‘pointless’ unless the Scottish Government can guarantee the investment.
MSP for Central Scotland, Graham Simpson said: “This long-awaited report is nothing more than a damp squib from the SNP-Green government.
“I welcome plans for a Clyde Metro but the remaining proposals go nowhere near far enough to address Lanarkshire’s transport needs.
“The report isn’t costed so we have no idea how much funding will be made available. Without investment these proposals are pointless.
“And once again they are letting down motorists in the region by kicking much-needed road upgrades and transport improvements into the long grass.
“Ministers have failed on all counts and this strategic transport review contains nothing that will change that.”
